Select Local Merchants

The traditional farmers' market at Trax Farms, owned and operated by the Trax family since 1865, teems with an eclectic array of produce grown onsite, freshly baked goods, deli fare, and gifts amid 325 acres of fields and orchards. The owners eschew imported produce for farm-grown, seasonal vegetables and fruits, and furnish their shelves with local and international specialty foodstuffs, Sarris and Wagner’s chocolates, and the farm’s own brand of flavored coffee. The aroma of freshly baked seasonal pies, homemade breads, and made-from-scratch cookies tantalizes noses as the deli rolls out soups, salads, and sandwiches assembled from premium meats and cheeses. In addition to a selection of quilts, clothing, and jewelry, the shop boasts wines, including award-winning Arrowhead Wine Cellar varietals. Furthering its homey, community-centered approach, the farm hosts flea markets, festivals, and special events, such as its autumnal hayride, which entices young visitors and scarecrows with thinning scalps.

Guardian Storage offers customers a variety of indoor and outdoor storage units that range in size from 5'x5' to 20'x30'. Along with its storage space at locations in Pennsylvania and Colorado, the company offers patrons complimentary use of its carts and dollies and has various packing and moving supplies available for purchase. With the help of a LEED-accredited architect, the facilities implement environmentally conscious practices that include building storage units with partially recycled steel and using heat-reflecting roofs capable of tanning birds' pale underbellies.

Since 1988, Pet Supplies Plus has welcomed millions of furry critters of every stripe—from llamas and monkeys to potbellied pigs—into their animal-friendly stores. The shop is designed so that both pets and their owners can easily navigate the inventory of more than 10,000 items. Wide aisles give leashed pups enough room to roam, colorful signage keeps shoppers moving in the right direction, and low shelves allow dogs to sniff out their preferred brand of rawhide chew. A self-serve dog wash enables guests to scrub their canine companions' coats to a youthful, puppy-like shine, whereas grooming services enlist professionals to tackle tougher jobs, such as brushing out matted fur or convincing dalmatians to stop mixing white and black after Labor Day.

With 14 locations in the Pittsburgh area, Model Cleaners wetlessly de-soils the duds of more than 50 southwest Pennsylvania communities with a tidy tapestry of services. Keep the glimmer in your three-piece suit ($17.55) or exorcise your blankets ($24.85–$30.85) of hibernating dust demons. Alteration and repair services transform cycloptic rag dolls back into two-buttoned beauties, and delicate sweater treatments ($6.35–$8.10) keep your wool fluffy enough to sell to any wolf in need of sheep’s clothing. Model Cleaners gives thrill-seeking threads a coming-of-age road trip with free pickup and delivery, which can be arranged by calling ahead. A full list of services and pickup times for each community can be viewed online.

Levin Furniture has been passed down through generations of Levins since 1920, when Jessie Levin persuaded her husband to start a business to help their daughters' prospects. Since then, the business has grown, expanded, and gained a reputation for procuring and selling quality furniture. Levin Furniture's stock includes leather reclining sofas, beautifully carved dining tables, and sleigh beds from Daniel's Amish using hardwood materials from Ohio.